You Can't Fake Engagement

Quick Tips

“Engagement” may just be a fresh word for a familiar idea. Employees are more productive when they're happy and committed to your goals than when they're miserable and just trying to get by. But whatever you call it, you can't ignore the challenge.

Here’s how to drive engagement in your team:

·    Set clear expectations. Tell employees where your team is headed—its vision—and how you plan to get there. A clear sense of direction helps people see the connection between their daily work and the organization’s long-term success.

·    Pay attention to your culture. Engagement can’t thrive in an environment that ignores employees. Listen to your people; ask employees what resources and training they need to do their best work; and support them in developing their skills so they feel that you’re all on the same side. Provide simple, clear and regular feedback

·    Inspire your people. Employees want to know that their work is about more than making money for the executives and shareholders. Tell them why their work is important and how it helps customers, the community, and the world. Just be sure to back up your inspirational talks with decisions and actions that demonstrate you're not just mouthing slogans.

·    Hold everyone accountable. Employees who work hard are unhappy when they see others get away with careless mistakes, slacking off, insubordination, and other forms of inappropriate behavior. Set clear standards for performance and workplace behavior, and enforce them consistently, without favoritism. Employees want to know they can rely on coherent rules.

·     Be authentic. Your people won’t feel passionate about their work if they think you’re faking it. Express your own feelings about why the work is important. Celebrate successes, and be honest about setbacks. Sincerity is the foundation of engagement.

All the success!

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